What should a previous carnival cruiser expect?

[geovet]

I just booked a 5 day cruise for jan 2010 on board the GOC. I have been on 4 other carnival cruises. How different is RC? Any extra charges I should know about? Thanks:rolleyes:

[CanuckMO4]

I just booked a 5 day cruise for jan 2010 on board the GOC. I have been on 4 other carnival cruises. How different is RC? Any extra charges I should know about? Thanks:rolleyes:

A better cruise holiday.

[mykiddiewinks]

I wouldn't say it was better, they are more alike than not. To me a cruise is a cruise - better than being in freezing Michigan right now. Shows are similar, as are the gameshows, food.

 

Its a cruise - ENJOY!!!

[k2]

I love the GOS! You will have a great time. I have heard that the atmosphere is a little less 'party' than Carnival, but I cannot speak from experience (sorry).

[kidless]

JMHO

Food in main dining room not as good as Carnival

Beds not as comfortable as Carnival

Service much better then Carnival

Ship's much prettier then Carnival

Guests on ship better behaved then Carnival

Overall pretty much the same...................

[printingchick]

Please reference my signature and note that I have actually done more cruises with Carnival than with Royal Caribbean. I read somewhere that people tend to stick with whatever cruise line they start out with. We fall in love with the cruise experience and that admiration extends to the cruise line.

 

While I would not hesitate to cruise on Carnival again for the right price and itinerary, I would consider myself a "Loyal Royal" now. The fact that I use a Royal Caribbean credit card means that I can usually sail less expensively on Royal (considering the points factor). However, I do own stock in both RCL and CCL, so I can get the share-holder benefit from either one.

 

The two cruise lines are similar in that they both market to a younger, more casual passenger. They mirror many popular activities such as the hairy chest/sexy legs contest, ice carving demo, belly-flop contest and Bingo. There are also some significant differences.

 

Carnival's decor tends to be much more LOUD and Vegas-style. While I've visited Vegas twice and enjoy chrome and neon as much as the next person, I find I tend to prefer the more toned down decor on Royal Caribbean. I may appreciate the night club and/or casino being decorated in a more flamboyant fashion, I like the public areas to feel more relaxing. Part of my vacation is spent in party mode, but part is spent in relaxation mode. I prefer to avoid the burnt orange theme in my cabin!!

 

I believe Royal markets to a more active passenger. While I prefer Carnival's symbol - the big red fin - to Royal Caribbean's symbol - the rock climbing wall - the wall is a statement about the type of cruiser RCL is targeting. On various ships in the fleet, RCL has the FlowRider surfing pool, in-line skating park, ice skating rink, boxing ring, golf simulator and full sized basketball court. On my first cruise on RCL, I was introduced (as a spectator) to the crew versus passenger dodge ball game. Even the ship's captain participated. On FOS this year, they had a crew versus passenger water volleyball game in addition to the dodge ball game.

 

Even though I wouldn't consider myself a particularly sporty person, I find myself enjoying more activities on RCL's sea days. I often found myself bored during sea days on Carnival. I think CCL tends to count on their party atmosphere providing the good times. I love my frozen tropical cocktails, but I can't just sit in the sun and drink all day. I like to DO STUFF!

 

Other specifics:

• FOOD: It has been a few years since I sailed with Carnival, so my information may be out-of-date, but I believe the MDR food was a little better on Carnival than on Royal. Royal Caribbean does a better job organizing the buffet area to avoid lines. I also like that waitstaff is available in the buffet area to help you find a table or get your drinks for you. However, on most RCL ships, there is no outdoor dining at the buffet. I like taking my breakfast outside. If you like to eat breakfast in the main dining room, Carnival varies its menu from day to day. In my experience, Royal does not.
  
• MAINTENANCE: Royal Caribbean does a really EXCELLENT job maintaining its fleet. That's something most people probably don't notice, but if you've sailed on the older, smaller Carnival ships, you will. You won't find torn up carpet on the mini-golf greens on a Royal Caribbean ship. The entire fleet could pass for brand new.
  
• COMFORT: The hallways are wider on similarly sized RCL versus CCL ships. Look at the ships in port. Notice how really WIDE RCL ships tend to be. Cabins are generally a little larger on Carnival vessels. Carnival provides robes in all cabins for use by their guests. Royal Caribbean provides this amenity for suite guests only.
  
• STAFF: I find the RCL staff more outgoing and friendly. On six Carnival cruises, I've NEVER had a captian I could remotely imagine participating in a dodge ball game. The captain usually only spoke at public events or over the intercom. I've found the cruise directors on Carnival, while entertaining, are often not that interested in getting to know the passengers. My cruise directors on RCL have seemed to really care about being available to just shoot the breeze with the passengers. I like that.
  
• PLUS COST OPTIONS: Royal Caribbean offers more "pay extra" options on board than I remember on Carnival. In addition to the specialty restaurants, some of RCL's fleet offers a Johnny Rockets retro burger restaurant ($4.95 cover charge for whatever you want to eat) and Ben & Jerry's ice cream (they also still have free soft-serve by the pool, but they offer gourmet ice cream as a pay-extra option). Some folks feel too nickel-and-dimed by these options. We just avoid the extras!
  

Come back and let us know what you think. Would love to hear YOUR comparisons!!

[Puffinater]

I think printingchick spelled it out great. We have cruised Carnival only once and had no issues. The food was better than RCI but the decor was a bit much. Given the right circumstances we would sail Carnival again. I would add that the only way to truely find out is to give it a try. Enjoy.

[joan_al]

printingchick hit the nail on the head with me. I have to agree with her.

[jonbgd]

JMHO

 

Food in main dining room not as good as Carnival

Beds not as comfortable as Carnival

 

Service much better then Carnival

Ship's much prettier then Carnival

Guests on ship better behaved then Carnival

 

Overall pretty much the same...................

 

I have been on 80% of the Carnival fleet but only one RCCL But Im doing my second with RCCL in a month we liked it that much

I do agree with above post and want to add

Alot of the cabins are smaller on RCCL especially the interior rooms and alot of the OV if you do a balcony or above you wont notice the difference and they have some great suites that Carnival doesnt have

[kooljamming]

If you have enjoyed Carnival, then much, much more alike than different.

 

First, the ships are stunning beyond belief.

Food in the MDR better on Carnival with beds a lot more confortable

RCCL more wonderful oppertunities for you to make a fool of yourself or to be entertained by others like me try and make it up the rock wall:D Passengers are coming from the same barrel so depending on the lenght of cruise behavior will vary. The difference in behavior could be like trying to decide between what you would find at Walmart vs Kmart. Only the loyal shoppers will notice. Carnival has more of the short fun sailing especially from the West coast. When RCCL had the shorter sailings it was the same thing.

 

If I was thinking a 'classier' cruise RCCL would not pop in my mind over Carnival. I have done both lines several time within the last few years, along with Princess. I prefer RCCL over Carinval and Princess because of the amazing look of the ships with the lively vibe. I would choose Carnival over Princess in a heart beat, especially with the kids.

[Desert Cruizers]

Pauline, lately, Princessfor us, just doesn't have to over all cruise appeal that RCL gives us, yet depending on the itnerary and price we would sail Princess without a problem. have never considered Carnival up to now.

[kooljamming]

Pauline, lately, Princessfor us, just doesn't have to over all cruise appeal that RCL gives us, yet depending on the itnerary and price we would sail Princess without a problem. have never considered Carnival up to now.

 

Carnival still has a strong draw for me because of younger kids.....waterslide vs wave rider. The beds on Carnival are heavenly and worth dying for, or on:eek: When fares are close or even slightly more, I will opt for RCCL.

 

Within the last five year, the gap has closed and you will see that in objective reviews. For the right price and intnerary, don't count any out. I was surprised that I liked Princess as much as I did. I like dancing and they had me going until 2 am but the more relaxed vibe and food were not me, for now.

 

Hey, DH was Santa at PetSmart in Palm Springs on Sunday